Chapter 74: Side Story

Gu Zhao lifted the blanket, motioning for Ji Su to get into bed first.

Ji Su scrambled up nimbly, burrowed under the covers, and lay obediently along the inside edge of the bed.

Gu Zhao lay down beside him. After a while, he said suddenly: 'My bed is very big.'

Ji Su turned to look at him, his expression a little dazed: 'Yes, it is.'

'So you don't have to stay so far from me.' Gu Zhao turned his face as well. 'You'll fall off.'

Ji Su obediently scooted a little toward him, noticed he was still watching, and scooted a little more.

Like a sweet little caterpillar-kitten, inching closer and closer to its person.

Satisfied, Gu Zhao reached out one hand and tucked in the edge of the blanket for him. 'Sleep.'

Ji Su closed his eyes and offered another goodnight: 'Goodnight, Gu Zhao gege.'

Gu Zhao answered: 'Goodnight.'

He closed his eyes; sleep did not come right away, but beside him the breathing was already lengthening into something slow and deep.

A good while later, Gu Zhao felt something warm pressing against him.

He snapped his eyes open and found his arm held in two small hands.

At home, Ji Su was used to sleeping with the big dog plushie his mother had once bought him; half-asleep now, he had mistaken the person beside him for the plushie.

Gu Zhao frowned and started to peel the hands away, but his gaze drifted up to that little face and he stopped.

Ji Su was sleeping soundly, his long curling lashes lying obediently against his cheeks; one half of his face was still flushed pink, the other half pressed against Gu Zhao's shoulder, nuzzling against it without knowing.

Gu Zhao's gaze softened; far from pushing him away, he drew the blanket up a little higher.

*

The next morning, Ji Su woke up still half-dazed and discovered he had draped himself entirely over Gu Zhao.

His eyes widened a fraction; afraid Gu Zhao would be angry when he woke, Ji Su carefully lifted away his own arms and legs.

The next instant, Gu Zhao opened his eyes. 'Good morning.'

'Good morning!' Ji Su scrambled upright in one motion, pretending he hadn't done anything wrong.

Gu Zhao sat up halfway. 'Go wash up first; I'll find you a change of clothes.'

'Okay.' Ji Su answered brightly, hopped off the bed, and headed toward the bathroom.

Gu Zhao watched that small back retreating, then quietly worked some feeling back into his numb arm.

The washstand was a little tall for Ji Su; he dragged a small stool over, stood on it, and brushed his teeth with great seriousness.

Gu Zhao stepped into the bathroom. 'Let me see.'

Though he didn't know what Gu Zhao wanted to see, Ji Su obediently turned his face.

Gu Zhao inspected the face; fortunately, it hadn't swollen too badly. 'It's fine now.'

Ji Su took out his toothbrush, foam at the corners of his mouth, and asked: 'Gu Zhao gege, do you need a stool too?'

'I don't need one.' Gu Zhao looked at the mirror. 'I can reach.'

Once they had both finished washing up, they went downstairs for breakfast.

Three generations of the Gu Family were gathered together, and the dining room was lively with it.

Ji Su was a little shy with strangers; his small nervous hand caught the hem of the person beside him.

Gu Zhao noticed and took his hand. 'Don't be afraid. Everyone in my family is very kind.'

'Xiao Wu. Su Su.' Old Master Gu called out. 'Come here.'

The others at the table turned their eyes toward them one after another, and Ji Su looked back at them with a certain timid shyness.

Overnight, everyone at the Gu Family Manor had heard that the young master had brought back a pretty little boy; seeing him in person now, they realized he really was that pretty.

'Are you Ji Su?' Gu Chen stepped forward first, bent down slightly, and lifted a hand to pinch Ji Su's cheek. 'You're really adorable.'

But before his hand could touch that fair, soft little cheek, another hand suddenly shot out and intercepted it cleanly.

Gu Zhao wore a stern little handsome face. 'It's time for breakfast, da-ge.'

'Hah?' Gu Chen lifted an eyebrow. 'Already protecting him?'

'Xiao Chen, don't scare the little one.' Mr. Gu said with a smile, beckoning. 'Xiao Wu, bring your friend over for breakfast.'

Gu Chen relented at last and turned back, a little put out. 'Fine.'

Gu Zhao led Ji Su to the table, lifted him onto the bench, sat down beside him, and began introducing his family.

Ji Su sat on the bench and politely greeted each of them in turn, looking the picture of an obedient child.

He was pretty, and his childish voice carried a sweet lilt; without the slightest effort, he won the affection of everyone in the Gu Family.

Through the whole breakfast, Gu Zhao's attention stayed on Ji Su, and every so often an unconscious little smile would surface on his face.

The people at the table watched the small exchanges between the two, exchanged a few glances, and let out a collective breath of relief without a word spoken.

Gu Zhao had suffered very serious abuse, and yet possessed an intelligence beyond the ordinary; so even though he had been back at the Gu Family for nearly a year, the child had kept his inner world sealed shut.

Everyone worried about him, but no one knew where to begin.

Fortunately, it seemed, things might finally be turning.

After breakfast, Old Master Gu specifically arranged for Li Manager to escort Ji Su home.

The Stretch Lincoln drove straight into the villa compound and stopped at the door of the Ji Family Villa.

Li Manager stepped out first and opened the car door. 'Young masters, we've arrived.'

The two got out of the car one after the other; Ji Su walked ahead and rang the doorbell.

'Coming!' The housekeeper came out and opened the door, then blinked in some bewilderment at the people standing there.

Ji Su greeted the housekeeper and walked inside.

Ji Zhenghai was on the phone in the living room; hearing the sound, he turned — and the moment he saw his eldest son, his face darkened. 'You still have the nerve to—'

Ji Su shrank back in fright, but Li Manager appeared in the nick of time. 'Mr. Ji, forgive the intrusion.'

Ji Zhenghai blinked. 'And you are?'

'My surname is Li; I am the Gu Family's manager.' Li Manager wore the same unchanging smile he always did. 'Old Master Gu specifically instructed me to see Young Master Ji home safely.'

Ji Zhenghai's expression changed at once; he strode forward in a few quick steps and extended his hand of his own accord. 'Hello, hello — the child doesn't know any better, I'm sorry for the trouble!'

'You're too kind, Mr. Ji.' Li Manager's smile did not waver. 'Old Master Gu is very fond of the young master, and hopes he will visit the Gu Family Manor often.'

Ji Zhenghai withdrew his hand, a little awkwardly: 'I'm honored by Old Master Gu's kindness.'

'Since the young master has been safely delivered, we should be heading back.' Li Manager lowered his head to seek Gu Zhao's opinion. 'Young Master, what do you say?'

Gu Zhao took Ji Su's hand and promised earnestly: 'I'll come find you again.'

Ji Su pressed his lips together and nodded hard.

After watching Gu Zhao walk out the gate, he couldn't help running back to the door and calling out at the top of his lungs: 'Gu Zhao gege!'

Gu Zhao stopped walking. 'What is it?'

Ji Su gazed at him with eager, hopeful eyes. 'Will you really come play with me?'

Gu Zhao walked back to the door. 'Really.'

Ji Su held out one little finger. 'Then let's pinky promise.'

Gu Zhao was a little helpless, but he still extended a hand.

'Pinky promise, lock it tight, a hundred years no change.' Ji Su hooked his little finger around Gu Zhao's, muttering the words, 'Seal it!'

Thumb pressed to thumb to finish the seal, and Gu Zhao gave the soft palm a gentle squeeze. 'Is that good enough?'

'That's good.' Ji Su curved his eyes into a smile, then raised his hand and waved it in a small arc. 'Gu Zhao gege, goodbye.'

On the way back, Gu Zhao was silent the entire trip.

Almost home, he asked out of nowhere: 'Uncle Li, can our family take in another child?'

Uncle Li understood at once what he was getting at, and replied in a gentle tone: 'Young Master, the Gu Family can certainly afford it, but it depends on whether the other child's parents agree.'

Gu Zhao lowered his gaze. 'His mother is gone, and his father treats him very badly.'

'A poor child.' Uncle Li sighed. 'Young Master, perhaps you might find a chance to ask the Old Master what he thinks.'

*

After going home that day, Gu Zhao kept turning the matter over in his mind.

Every weekend, he would go to the Ji Family and spend a whole day playing with Ji Su before heading home.

Gu Zhao could tell that Ji Zhenghai didn't like him either, but he didn't care — the man clearly feared the Gu Family and wouldn't dare offend him.

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye midsummer had arrived.

These past few days, the Gu Family had been busy, and no one had time to take Gu Zhao out.

It happened to be summer break, and he planned to bring Ji Su to the Gu Family for a few days, so this weekend he didn't go to the Ji Family.

The following evening, Gu Zhao received a phone call, and a familiar voice came through: 'Gu Zhao gege…'

The moment Ji Su spoke, he could tell something was wrong. 'What happened?'

Ji Su could no longer hold back the grievance in his heart; afraid of waking the others, he could only cover his mouth and sob softly.

Through the phone, Gu Zhao's heart clenched, and he hurriedly soothed: 'Don't cry — tell me what happened.'

Ji Su didn't know how to say it; he tried to hold his tears back, and his sweet, soft voice carried an obvious sob: 'N-no… it's nothing…'

Without hesitation, Gu Zhao leapt off the bed. 'Don't fall asleep yet — I'm coming to your house right now.'

Ji Su hiccupped. 'I-it's too late…'

'It's not.' Gu Zhao opened the door. 'Don't hang up — I'll stay on the line with you.'

The Stretch Lincoln tore through the night like lightning, and soon came to a stop in front of the Ji Family Villa.

On the way there, Gu Zhao had also managed to get to the bottom of what had happened.

Lately, out of regard for the Gu Family's face, Ji Zhenghai had restrained himself considerably; but tonight, after receiving a call from his ex-wife, his temper had flared again.

The trigger was actually a trivial little thing — Ji Su had accidentally knocked over his little brother's bottle — and Ji Zhenghai had not only hit him, but punished him by forbidding him from eating dinner.

Gu Zhao got out of the car and pressed the doorbell.

The night was utterly still, and the doorbell's ring was especially jarring — yet he deliberately pressed it again and again.

The lights in the Villa came on, and Ji Zhenghai came downstairs pulling on his clothes; his impatient expression shifted when he saw who was at the door. 'Young Master Gu, what brings you here in the middle of the night?'

Gu Zhao stood with a cold face and said nothing; Li Manager spoke up: 'Mr. Ji, the young master is here to see Young Master Ji.'

Ji Zhenghai had a bellyful of fury, but couldn't let it out. 'Ji Su should already be asleep.'

Gu Zhao walked straight in and headed upstairs on his own.

When the door opened, a beautiful little face appeared — a pair of bright, sparkling big eyes red from crying, looking utterly pitiful.

The next instant, the aggrieved little kitten threw himself whole into Gu Zhao's arms.

Gu Zhao steadied himself and wrapped an arm tight around the thin shoulders and back. 'It's okay now.'

Ji Su buried his damp cheek into the curve of Gu Zhao's neck, and warm tears welled up again. 'Gu Zhao gege…'

In truth, a punishment of this degree could have been endured completely before — but now, for no reason he could name, it felt unbearably, achingly wronged.

Only much later did Ji Su understand: it was because there was now someone willing to take on his sorrow, someone willing to wipe his tears away.

After patiently soothing him for a while, Gu Zhao asked softly: 'Is there anything you want to take with you?'

Ji Su thought for a moment, then stuffed the big dog plush his mother had given him into his backpack.

A moment later, the two children came downstairs hand in hand.

Ji Zhenghai's expression was not pleasant. 'It's so late — where are you going, Ji Su?'

Gu Zhao replied, expressionless: 'To my house.'

Ji Zhenghai tried to stop him. 'Young Master Gu, tonight—'

'I'm not asking your permission.' Gu Zhao tightened his grip on the cold little hand in his palm. 'I'm taking Ji Su home.'

Ji Zhenghai frowned. 'You break into my home in the dead of night, just to take my son away?'

'Yes.' Gu Zhao lifted his gaze to meet his, every word crisp and clear: 'Since you can't raise him properly, then the Gu Family will.'

Ji Zhenghai flew into a rage. 'What did you say?'

'Mr. Ji, do calm down.' Li Manager spoke up at just the right moment, his words silk over steel: 'Children may be thoughtless, but adults can't afford to be — don't you agree?'

A chill ran down Ji Zhenghai's spine at once, and he forced a smile. 'Li Manager is right.'

'It's very late tonight; whatever the matter is, perhaps it would be better discussed tomorrow.' Li Manager gestured. 'Young Master, you should be getting back to rest.'

Gu Zhao set off toward the front gate. 'Come on — let's go home.'

And so Ji Su, led by the hand, left the Ji Family without a backward glance.